17.03.

Introduction to Political Thought

Lecture Outline: Aristotles Politics Bk 3 (entire), Bk 4 (chs. 1-14)

I. Plato and Aristotle

A. Unity v. heterogeneity/diversity
B. Philosophical virtue/knowledge v. practical virtue/practical wisdom
C. Method: perfect forms v. experience and opinions about the good

II. The state

A. The form of the state (constitution)
B. The matter of the state (citizens)
C. Good citizen v. good man: goodness of citizen relative to regime
D. Who is a citizen?

III. Forms of government

A. True forms of government and their perversions

Rule by the True Forms Perversions

One monarchy/kingship tyranny
Few aristocracy oligarchy
Many polity/constitutional govt democracy

B. Principles upon which each regime is basedhow distribute political power?

C. What is the best regime? (depends on composition of citizenry)
D. Polity/constitutional government

IV. Purpose of politics

A. Managing conflict
1. Class-based political conflict
2. Distributive justice: competing claims about the distribution of goods and honor
3. Aristotles proposal for managing conflict
a. All regimes should draw on all relevant conceptions of justice, especially those
of rich and poor, to bring about stability and justice
b. Give all groups an interest in preserving the constitution

B. Community that seeks the highest good together

1. Best or happy life (eudaimonia) is a life of virtue or excellence (arte)
2. Laws aim at happiness and excellence of citizens
3. Just regime is not necessarily a perfect or virtuous regime

V. Political science as the science of the possible

A. Political science should say something useful and attainable, not just describe the best
in the abstract
B. Statesmen should seek remedies for existing constitutions: how to make them more
stable and just